Italy's Prodi Sets New Course,
Wins Cool Communist Support

ROME -- Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi set a new course for his government Friday, focusing on aid to the depressed south, tax breaks for businesses, and a 35-hour workweek.

Mr. Prodi's new program, outlined to the Senate ahead of a parliamentary confidence vote next week, made several concessions to his far-left Rifondazione Comunista ally, and won a lukewarm show of support from the party.